                              FT/CMD
                        Documentation Short File
                     Copyright 1986,87,88 by Mel Patrick


Unlike previous versions of FastTerm, this version will not have a full manual
for you to download and read. There are a number of reasons for this, but the
first and foremost being that the manual is simply too big for most word
processors and the graphics throughout the manual can not be displayed on the
low resolution TRS-80 video. At present the file for the manual is around
140K and that is without any graphic images. There is almost 80K of graphic
window images to add to that total. Downloading this would be totally
impractical. It would cost you more in connect charges than it would to
simply support the shareware product. Supporters automatically receive a
PRINTED manual and disk with the most current version their cheque or money
order is received. 

This short manual will simply highlight on the functions of FastTerm without
going into too much depth. The manual which all supporters receive on the
other hand is very detailed with many sections specifically relating to any
kind of problems you may have.


Program Changes for Version 10R
-------------------------------
With this version, there have been a number of changes. Most have been
requested by the registered users of FastTerm.

- New larger TEXT buffer. FastTerm now has 85K of buffer space if you have
  a 128K RAM addition and are not using the alternate banks of memory.

- On Screen Buffer size indicator. FastTerm now shows the remaining room left
  in the buffer as you communicate.

- FastTerm now supports YMODEM for those systems which can support it. This is
  in addition to the normal XMODEM. Both Checksum and CRC modes are supported
  in xmodem, CRC only in Ymodem.

- SMART VIEW Modes. You can now view the TEXT buffer (all 85K) without losing
  the original screen you were working on. Pause during scroll still active.

- Additional Baud Rates. Many extra baud rates have been added to FastTerm
  to allow those with laptops to communicate faster where permitted.

- VIDEO BUFFER! Now instead of losing items which scroll off your screen, you
  can recall up to 2 full video pages (providing 2400 baud or lower). Then
  return to the original screen and resume communications.

- BUILD COMMAND for the DIALER window. Now a simple, "answer the question"
  entry mode for building dialer entries. All you have to do is answer the
  simple prompts and FASTTERM will BUILD the dialer string for you. No more
  looking at the manual trying to figure out what comes next.

-SPLIT SCREEN for the communications sessions on CIS or GEnie. You can view
 the information coming in on the bottom of the video display and type without
 interuption in the top part of the window. All functions such as video scroll
 still function normally! Also user selectable auto send on type window full!

- AUTO COST OUPUT. Now when the carrier is lost (or terminated) during a
  session, you have the option of writing the toll charges to a disk file.
  This will enable to check all those charges on your long distance calls.
  Manual writing to cost file still available.

- DIALER and MACRO lists LINKED! FastTerm will now automatically switch to
  the same page in the Macro window, when you are working on any given page
  in the dialer window (and vice-versa). This makes it a lot easier now to
  find which macros link with which dialer entries.

- EXAMPLES!!!! FastTerm manual now contains many examples of how to set up
  auto log on strings and dialer entries for various modems. Complete info
  on how to use it with Compuserve.

- SEMI-TERMINAL EMULATION. FastTerm will now emulate a TTY terminal (what you
  are probably most used to), VIDTEX to work with Compuserve, and a VT100.

- Whole chapter on customizing parts of FastTerm for your own applications.

------------------------------

Short Manual....on command keys.

F1            - invoke the window menus
SHFT F1       - invoke the emulator window
F2            - strip incoming LF's
SHFT F2       - toggle LF + CR to remote
F3            - toggle bell sound on/off
BREAK         - exit to TRS/LS DOS Ready
SHFT CLEAR    - restore screen display to default
UP ARROW      - invoke video scroll option
LEFT ARROW    - move one window menu to the left
RIGHT ARROW   - move one window menu to the right
CLEAR 1..9    - send macro definiton 1-9
CLEAR U       - select UART menu
CLEAR B       - select BUFFER menu
CLEAR E       - select ECHO menu
CLEAR D       - select DIALER menu
CLEAR M       - select MACRO menu
CLEAR L       - select LIBRARY menu
CLEAR T       - select TRANSFER menu
CLEAR S       - disable COST timer
CLEAR A       - Disable Auto Logon String
CLEAR C       - Capture screen in Buffer
CLEAR F       - Toggle cost charges ON/OFF
CLEAR G       - toggle buffer OPEN/CLOSE
CLEAR H       - fast disconnect using DTR signal line
CLEAR K       - toggle clock dislay on/off
CLEAR O       - output cost displayed to disk file
CLEAR P       - toggle printer output on/off
CLEAR Q       - abort printer output, cancel buffer info
CLEAR R       - reset elapsed time, or charges
CLEAR V       - toggle SPLIT SCREEN mode on/off
CLEAR X       - append incoming info to BUFFER
CLEAR Z       - toggle cursor on/off

Some of these items may not work exactly as you might expect, but the manual
clearly provides details and gives examples on most of the features.

In window menus, press the letter which resides within the [ ] signs.

--------------------------------------------

Should you already be a registered owner of FastTerm, you can obtain the new
version and manual by sending $8.00 to the author directly. If you prefer the
manual only it can obtained for $6.00.

Unregistered users the registration fee is $15.00 and you will receive a
printed manual, and diskette in the mail within 3 weeks.

---------------------------------------------

Any questions regarding FastTerm can be sent either in writing to the author
or you may call his BBS system.

FastMaster BBS - 300/1200, 8 bit word, 1 stop, no parity, (604) 594-7398
                                 or
     Mel Patrick : 13699 70A Ave. : Surrey, B.C. : Canada : V3W 2J8

---------------------------------------------
New Dial item for Version 10, Release 10 (FT10R10) or newer should that happen
again (never finish a program sometimes).

When the dialer menu is active, you can now select MORE THAN ONE NUMBER TO
DIAL! Although it is not shown on the menu (for lack of room), the process
will be outlined here.

Press <M> from the dail window to invoke the MULTI-DIAL mode.

Press the number(s) of the dial definitions you want to dial and a > will be
displayed beside that number. You may have up to 9 numbers selected using
this method.

Once you have selected all the numbers you want to dial, you have two choices
to continue. If you press [ENTER] you will simply dial all the numbers in the
same order as you selected them.

If you press [R], you will continue to dial the selected numbers (in the same
order as they were entered), but it will continue to redial those numbers until
the REDIAL LIMIT is reached.

Should a connection be made, the window will disappear and the word CONNECTED
will appear on your screen, along with the number dialed, and
any ASCII comments you had on the end of the dial definition. This will help
when you have a few numbers selected and it manages to connect to one of them
without you noticing it.

During the selection mode, if you have made an error and not pressed [ENTER] or
[R] yet, you may UNSELECT a number by selecting the same number again. It will
cause the '>' sign to erase beside the dial line to indicate this.

You can not select a dial line which has not been defined.

During the process, should you get any invalid inputs, like selecting the same
number twice, you will get some "beeps" from the internal sound board.

This routine has been extensively tested on both a Hayes and Hayes compatible
modem with no problems at all. However, with Radio Shack modems this may
prove to be a different story. Due to the fact that RS modems have very poor
response time and a silly abort character, it usually makes them fairly
inadequate for features like this. If you get it to work with your RS modem
let me what kind you have so I can keep track of it.

----------------------------------------------------------- Mel Patrick -----
More release news. Version FT10R11 now has an additional MENU SELECTION to
enable you to select items which you can never remember the key combinations
for.

To enable/disable the special menu selection window, press the [SHIFT F3] keys.
The [F1] key is still used to display a window but depending on the mode you
are in, you will either get the normal windows, or the special menu select
window. The menu select window contains all the windows, terminal codes, and
function key lists and commands. Simply press the letter within the <> signs
and that command will be executed (with a normal return to the terminal or
communications window).

Since this mode when in effect is quite visual, there is no screen indicator
to inform you which mode you are in. Just press the F1 and its apparent.

My thanks to the two supporters who suggested this enhancement.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              FT - Version 12.0

ah yes, another major release. With bugs fixed (don't worry if you never found
them; maybe I should have made it into a game of finding things which work but
not quite right like an adventure game instead of a terminal....) and a major
addition FastTerm just got better.

Bugs - when you opened and closed the buffer from the BUFFER MENU it didn't
       actually empty the buffer on the screen (the numbers remained the same
       size). However as soon as you exited the buffer window it did empty it.
       This has been corrected so that it reflects it in the menu. More of a
       cosmetic fix.

Ymodem - when using ymodem to transfer files, the largest you could send was
         255K (thats 255,000 bytes). Since I don'T have too many files that
         big on my Model 4 I never noticed it. But some enterprising IBM owner
         did. Repaired now.

Changes - OPEN/CLOSE buffer no longer appears when you use CLR G to open/close
          the buffer. I have been told that it is sufficient to use the I82I
          (or whatever size you have) in the buffer at the top of the screen to
          indicate whether the buffer is open or closed. However if you APPEND
          THAT msg will still show (CLR X). Makes for a cleaner display.

Emulation - FastTerm now contains a HOST mode. Whereby you can call and use
            TRS/LSDOS library commands or any of the file transfer protocols
            all automatically. Details as follows :


Host Mode

FastTerm now supports a HOST mode which will enable to you setup a remote access via FastTerm. Using this access you can use most of the TRS/LSDOS LIBrary commands and also use all the file xfer methods in FastTerm. That means you can use ASCII, Xmodem and Ymodem from any computer to send or receive files from your disks via FastTerm. In addition, you have password access so that anyone trying to break into your system will find it very difficult if not impossible.

Setting up for the HOST Mode

Before entering the HOST mode, you must issue the commands which will enable your modem to auto answer the incoming call. Since there are so many different modems on the market I will leave it up to you if your modem does not support the standard HAYES command set. If it does support the HAYES set, type in : ATS0=1 and press [ENTER]. That will enable the modem to answer on the first ring.

If you like, you may program one of the Macro key definitions to send it to the modem. Once this is done, you are ready to enable the FastTerm HOST mode.

Invoking the Host Mode

To invoke the HOST mode, make sure that there is no present carrier online. Press SHIFT - [F1] (this is the same command used to bring up the emulation window). You'll notice a new command in the window call HOST along with the current three forms of emulation supported by FastTerm. Pressing the [H] key will immediately display the message : Waiting for Remote Connection. If you press [BREAK] FastTerm will return to the terminal mode.

FastTerm is now in the HOST mode and is waiting for a carrier detect. When it receives one, it will pause about two seconds and then ask the caller for the password. i.e. it will display : Access Password :  and wait for the caller to enter the correct password.

Should the caller enter an invalid password, FastTerm will report that it was an incorrect entry and allow them to try again.

On the successful entry of the password (it comes configured as Share!) they will be notified that they have enter the FastTerm host mode and will be prompted with : Command (@HELP).

Using the DOS LIBrary Functions

To use any of the DOS LIBrary options, you simply type them in as if you were at DOS READY. FastTerm will pass them along to the DOS and try to execute them. Obviously some commands can get you into a great deal of trouble and no checking is done within FastTerm to ensure that you can't.

For example, if you try to RUN a program which uses the same locations as FastTerm you will no doubt find that FastTerm will crash.

DOS LIBrary Commands To Use

I suggest you use the following list as a guide to which commands you may use without causing any harm to FastTerm.

Append, Cat, Copy, Device, Dir, ID, Lib, List, Memory, Remove, Rename, Tof
Attrib, Auto, Build, Create, Date, Dump, Free, Purge, Time, Verify

The following commands should be avoided :

Cls, Do, Filter, Link, Load, Reset, Route, Run, Set
Debug
Forms, Setcom, Setki, Spool, Sysgen, System

Some of the commands such as Forms, may be used if you had them installed before you executed FastTerm. In that case FastTerm would already know about the filter or driver. You may experiment if you want to, but I suggest a write protected disk when you do it (and a backup isn't a bad idea). Stay away from commands
which would modify memory size or install a filter or driver.

Special @ FastTerm Commands

You also have available nine commands with which you can use the file transfer modes in FastTerm. Each of these commands must be prefaced with the @ symbol, two letters to indicate the command followed by a comma for FastTerm to recognize it. If you get the command wrong or FastTerm doesn't have it available, you will receive an error message.

The first command is the @HELP command. Use it to see what commands you have available. They are listed as follows :

@DA - Download ASCII File  - used to receive a file from FastTerm (text file).
@DY - Download Ymodem - used to receive a file using ymodem protocol.
@DX - Download Xmodem - used to receive a file using xmodem protocol.
@UA - Upload ASCII File - used when sending a text file to FastTerm.
@UY - Upload Ymodem - used to send a file to FastTerm using ymodem protocol.
@UX - Upload Xmodem - used to send a file to FastTerm using xmodem protocol.
@PR - Send Msg to Printer - used to send a single line of text to the printer.

@BYE - used when you are finished in the host mode, but wish to use it again later. Note the FastTerm does not disconnect, so you will have to from the remote
end. Use CLR H if your modem supports DTR (quick hangup).

@EXIT - used when you are done and do not want FastTerm to remain in the host mode. Note that your modem will still answer the phone in this present version
but changes may come about to fix that.

When using any of the above command do not use spaces in the command lines. ie. @UA,filespec is the correct way, not @UA , filespec. You may specify the drive when using the filename as well so that it can go to where you want it stored.

Uart Settings

It is suggested that you use 8 bit word, no parity and 1 stop bit. If you are using xmodem, FastTerm will change itself anyways to that setting but it does make things easier. When you have the baud rate set, that is the ONLY baud rate at which FastTerm host mode will work. If you have a 300/1200 baud modem, you will not be able to call at 300 or 1200 if you have the baud rate set at 1200. It will still answer the phone, but will just send gibberish to the remote. The program is not a BBS (FastPlus is) and does not have baud rate detection or switching.

Other Settings

There is one other setting which affects the output from FastTerm. That is the current state of the LF output in the Status Window. Some systems require a CR + LF while others require only a CR. Its up to you to determine what your needs are and set the Status accordingly. This is mainly for the IBM types who need
the CR + LF on their computers.

New BREAK Key from Remote

Providing the current function you are using allows the [BREAK] key, you may use it from the remote. For example if you were using the BUILD command and wanted to quit, normally you would use the [BREAK] key. However, FastTerm does not send the value for that key so another must be used in place of it. I have changed it so that [CTRL] [C] is accepted as [BREAK]. This same key also tells FastTerm when you have completed uploading of the ASCII file (when to close the file).

Time Delay on File Transfer

FastTerm does take some time before starting any transfer function. This allows you ample time to get into your own terminal transfer mode. There is no hurry and you usually have about 20 seconds at least to get ready. This is especially true when downloading through FastTerm host.

Defining your own Password

Of course you may choose not to use the present password defined in FastTerm. If you want to change it, use the Status Window and press the [P] key. You will be prompted for a new password. If you simply press [ENTER] no change will be recorded (the new password will always show in the Status Window).

Once you have changed the password, use the [Save] option in the Macro Window to save your change. From then on, FastTerm will always remember that definition.

If you are watching someone else use your FastTerm host mode, you'll notice that the windows come up and the filenames appear slowly as if you were typing them in. Sort of automation in action. No reason to worry, that's the way it was written.

This new feature was put into FastTerm to allow computer users to access their own home computers from their office or a remote location. It also allows you to share a program with a friend by using host mode. You don't have to be there for your friend to get it. Hopefully you will find this option useful.

Possible Problems

When using FastTerm as a HOST mode, I don't know how it will react to having
other drivers which are using the keyboard or display device control blocks. My
setup remains pretty standard (which means I don't run Pronto or any filters or
drivers other than the HD driver). If you experience a conflict (nice of saying
it dunt work), I suggest you try a "plain jane" DOS without all your filters
and such. That's the way it was tested since there are just too many addons to
test it with.
----------------------------------------------------------------Mel
**************************** Version 13.x *********************************
Changed in this release issue is the VT100 mode emulation. It is now better
than previous versions by quite a bit. Changed are the arrow keys, BREAK
and added was an ESCAPE key.

The arrows are now your cursor control keys. Use them to move around any
screen which supports true VT100 movements. These are normally CURSOR UP,
CURSOR DOWN, CURSOR LEFT, and CURSOR RIGHT.

BREAK KEY - when in VT100 mode, you will need a BREAK key to negate some
functions. Normally the value of the BREAK key is used to EXIT from FT itself
but this is no longer possible until you exit from VT100 mode. The BREAK key
now sends out a VALUE of DEL (which is BREAK for VT100) (7FH for the terminal
mongers). To exit from FT now, you have to press SHIFT F1 to get emulation
and then select NONE. Your break key will now exit the program.

ESCAPE KEY - normal VT100 applications require an escape code at times. This
has been coded so that it finally works reliably. Use the SHIFT UP ARROW to
send out an ESCAPE code.

Of course with the new cursor controls, you had to give up something. Hence
you can no longer scroll back the video display to see what was on the screen
previously. A few reasons for this small change and most of them have to do
with the amount of houskeeping required to keep the modes straight.

INVERSE VIDEO - In the VT100 mode, you also have available INVERSE video if
the host system requests it. Since you don't have to worry about graphics
I have used it this way on many things (even a TANDY 6000) and it works just
fine.

FILE XFERS have also changed somewhat. Xmodem/Ymodem have been optimized again
and will now load 16 blocks at a time. On receive FT will take in 16 blocks
BEFORE it writes to disk. Therefore don't be alarmed when it goes past the
normal 10 you've been used to. X/Ymodem has also been modified so that it
is possible to TIME OUT at which time FT will REACK the remote system.
Originally this usually caused a slight delay (sometimes a LOCK UP) until
the remote responded with the same block again. Its a lot more reliable now.

BAUD RATE and XFER have been heavily modified. At 9600 the previous versions
of FastTerm would balk at 9600 baud xmodem transfers. I have changed this so
that the normal INTERUPT buffering used to collect incoming data is bypassed
and the routine reads directly from the RS232 ports. With my XLR8ER it works
99% of the time (with only a couple of time outs at worst). Since I have a
modified Model 4 (xlr8er board) I can't say what it will do for your normal
4 MHZ Model 4. It should at least work better than the old version.

By the way, if you're thinking of getting a 9600 baud modem cause its SO
fast, don't get your hopes too high. The Model 4 doesn't have good enough
routines or clock speed to run very fast at 9600 during receive. For example
sending a file out at 9600, optimum speed would be somewhere around 960
characters per second (actually less than that but close enough for this
example). You can save to a floppy, hard drive or memdisk and here are the
times you can expect to find for receving at file like that :

400 characters per second - write to floppy
650 characters per second - write to hard disk
700 characters per second - write to memdisk

The fastest is to write to MEMDISK as you can see but remember my times reflect
the fact that I am using an XLR8ER board. Yours will probably be less. So in
fact you may find little difference between say 7200 and 9600. Or for that
matter 4800 and 72/9600. Just depends on your configuration. I have tried to
get 19,200 baud to work for RECEIVE but to no avail. I suspect the UART just
can not keep up with a speed like that (let alone the routines which do the
CRC calculations).

Thats it for changes (big and small) in this version release.

As always, many thanks to the continued support and nice letters I receive. I
have enjoyed writing TRS-80 Model 4 software and will probably continue to
do so for a while yet.   Mel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
